Teens crash south of Milan

Local News

July 17, 2009

A vehicle crash that injured two 19-year-olds at the intersection State Road 101 and U.S. 50 south of Milan occurred at about 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, Ripley County Dispatch was informed by a 911 call.

The investigation revealed a 2000 Toyota Celica driven by Ashley Yates, Milan, was southbound on S.R. 101 at U.S. 50, said Sgt. Noel Houze, Indiana State Police Versailles District public information officer. After stopping at the intersection, the Toyota pulled out onto U.S. 50 into the path of a westbound 1998 Dodge Durango driven by Sabrina Lazenby, Holton.

“The Dodge struck the Toyota broadside, then both vehicles traveled across the median into the eastbound lanes of U.S. 50, where the Dodge came to rest in the eastbound passing lane and the Toyota continued off the south side of the roadway into the edge of a cornfield, leaving Yates trapped in the vehicle,” Houze said.

After Yates was extricated from the vehicle by Milan firefighters, she was helicoptered to University Hospital, Cincinnati, for multiple trauma. The extent of her injuries is unknown at this time.

Lazenby was transported to Dearborn County Hospital, Lawrenceburg, with nonlife-threatening injuries.

Two other Toyota passengers, Danielle Yates, 16, and Eleanor Roder, 15, Milan, were treated at the scene by EMTs for minor abrasions and later transported by personal vehicle to a local hospital as a precaution.

Witnesses at the scene told investigators a "box truck" westbound on U.S. 50 at the time of the crash that was slowing and preparing to make a right turn to go north on S.R. 101 may have obstructed Yates’ view of other westbound traffic, which may have been a factor in the crash.

U.S. 50 was shut down for about 15 minutes while University of Cincinnati Air Care was on the ground.

The crash is being investigated by ISP Trooper Brent Miller. He was assisted at the scene by numerous other ISP personnel. Also helping there were the Milan Police Department, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Rescue 30, Rescue 69 and Ripley County Medic.